The Imo State governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma has assured Ndi Imo of his confidence that the trying times currently being experienced in Imo State would be a thing of the past soon.
Speaking at the Easter Sunday service held at St. Rose of Lima Parish, in his country home Ozuh Omuma, Oru East Local Government Area of Imo State, the Governor insisted that the current trying periods in the state which has been characterized by the killing of innocent citizens, burning of public and private property, burning of police stations and killing of policemen, among other unlawful acts are borne out of politics of bitterness.
In the Spirit of Easter, Governor Uzodimma enjoined all well meaning Imolites to pray to God for the change of heart of those perpetuating the violence.
He emphasized that the killings in Orlu zone are more political than the report of involvement of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), describing what is going on as rather “the activities of the wicked politicians who are unrepentant and have continued to sponsor the killings of their fellow brothers.”
The Governor regretted that investigations have revealed that most people either killed or whose homes were burnt were mostly members of the ruling party All Progressives Congress (APC), noting that there was no record of any member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) reported to have died or suffered loss of property as a result of the activities of the so-called bandits.
He told those aiming at removing him as the Governor of Imo State, using insecurity as a tool, to stop wasting their time because he is “ordained by God to be the Governor of Imo State.”
“They are challenging God. When you are after the creation of God, you are after God,” he said.
The Governor said the same people who looted Imo treasury are the same people sponsoring the killing of hapless and innocent persons as well as instigating unending violence in Imo State.
“My government is not weak, my Government is only God fearing. The only thing is that we hate to let blood. But we cannot allow the killing of innocent citizens and the activities of non-state actors in the form of criminals and hoodlums to overtake the political space.
“One thing I must assure you is that I will live up to the oath of office I took,” Governor Uzodimma assured.
Meanwhile, troops of 34 Artillery Brigade Nigerian Army (NA) on Sunday 17 April 2022 neutralized a member of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra(IPOB) and its armed affiliate Eastern Security Network(ESN) at Ihioma Community in Orlu Local Government Area of Imo State.
According to a statement from Onyema Nwachukwu spokesman of the Nigerian Army, troops’on routine patrol encountered members of the irredentist group who fired sporadically at Banana Junction to enforce the illegal sit at home order on law abiding citizens going about their legitimate businesses.
The IPOB/ESN members on sighting the troops, withdrew in a blue Toyota Highlander towards Ihioma Community for reinforcement.
In the fire fight that ensued during the operation, one of the criminals was taken out, while others fled in disarray. Troops are combing the general area in a follow up operations to track down the fleeing dissidents.
The statement said “Having suffered casualty and effectively denied freedom of action by the troops, the irredentist group have resorted to cheap propaganda to whip up public sentiments by circulating a doctored video on the social media alleging troops complicity in their mindless atrocities”.
“This propaganda should be disregarded in its entirety.”
